Business Problem Solving and Strategic Decision Making

2 Days

This Business Problem Solving and Strategic Decision Making training class first examines the five steps in the problem-solving process and delves into what the learner should know to solve any problem that he or she may encounter. Students will examine the various methods for defining the problem and will learn how to generate a solution, as well as come up with alternative solutions. They will look at how to implement their chosen solution, and then how to analyze that solution to determine if it is indeed the right one, as well as gather any lessons learned to apply to future problems.

Students will also learn how an organization can benefit from employing strategic decision-making techniques, and how to use decision-making strategies to improve negotiation skills.

Goals

Learn how to define the problem at hand.

Examine tools for generating possible solutions to the problem.

Explore how to evaluate and select possible alternative solutions.

Determine how to effectively implement the solution you have chosen.

Evaluate that solution for effectiveness.

Learn the fundamentals of strategic decision making.

Learn to plan, frame, and research decisions.

Learn to develop numerous high-quality options and select the best one.

Learn to to use decision-making strategies to improve negotiation skills.

Learn to overcome decision making barriers.

Outline

Defining the Problem

Why This Is an Important First Step

Tools for Defining the Problem

Root-Cause Analysis

Diagramming

The Six Ws

CATWOE

Generating Possible Solutions

Use a Mind Map

Brainstorming Techniques

Freewriting

Word Assocation

Listing

Shift Your Perspective

Challenge Assumptions: Restate the Issue

Evaluating and Selecting Alternatives

Determine the Most Workable and Reasonable Solution

What Is the Best Solution?

Occam's Razor: Why the Simplest Solution Is Usually the Best

Occam's Razor Example

Implementing Your Solution

Gain Acceptance from Stakeholders

Who Are Your Stakeholders?

How to Get Buy-in

Identify Your Message

Compose a Clear and Concise Message

Identify Action Steps and a Communication Plan

Define Resources Needed to Implement the Solution

Implement a Contingency Plan

What Could Go Wrong?

Evaluating Your Solution

Follow Up to Ensure that the Problem Is Solved

Customer Surveys

Group or Individual Meetings

Checkpoints

The Importance o Flexibility

Determine Lessons Learned, to Avoid Future Problems

Try to Determine the Problem's Cause

What Could You Have Done Differently?

Was It the Best Solution?

Record Lessons Learned and Share

Suggest Improvements to the Solution

Celebrate Achievements

Preparing to Make Decisions

Fundamentals of Decision Making

Defining Decisions

Decision Frames

Researching Decisions

Decision Options

Generating Options

Selecting an Option

Decision Results

Results of Your Decisions

Learning from the experience of Others

Complex Decisions

Decision Scenarios

Linked Decisions

Group Decisions

Making Group Decisions

Overcoming Decision Making Barriers

Negotiation Decisions

Making Negotiation Decisions

Decision Making Pitfalls for Negotiators

Class Materials

Each student in our Live Online and our Onsite classes receives a comprehensive set of materials, including course notes and all the class examples.